🇺🇸 Happy 250, USA!

Good morning, Cleveland! This is The 216 Scoop: Just when you thought the LeBron chatter slowed down, a local bakery decided to weigh in. And it’s as bold as it sounds 🏀🎪

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John Petkovic & Jude Perez

Fourth of July celebrates of all things Americana. Yes, fireworks shows -- check out our guide – but also spots that summon nostalgia and romance:

ICE CREAM

CLASSIC DRAGSTERS

Kuhnle Motorsports Park: At 66 years, it’s one of the longest-running drag racing strips in the Midwest. At 9 a.m. today, it rolls an Independence Day Explosion – an all-day race-a-thon. Info.

OHIO’S LONGEST BEACH

Headlands Beach State Park: The longest natural beach in Ohio was a filming location for ‘Superman.’ It’s a destination for picnickers, dune walkers and bird, butterfly and wildlife watchers. Info.

OLD POSTCARDS COME TO LIFE

Geneva-on-the-Lake: The Lake Erie resort town is a hoot – and a slice of vintage Americana loaded with old-school burger joints, penny arcades, candy shops and flickering signs, a circa-1924 putt-putt course and views of Lake Erie. Info.

Fans went bonkers looking for clues the last time LeBron pondered a return. They even tracked the flight paths of Dan Gilbert’s plane.

“Look, he’s heading to Florida to meet with LeBron,” they said.

Nope, said Gilbert: “Sorry folks, but enjoying weather in my backyard today.”

The media mocked the circus. But fans were ahead of the media: Gilbert did fly to Florida to meet LeBron.

Then came Caroline’s Cupcakes, which broke the news.

“Cleveland is a done deal,” reported the Canton bakery.

More mockery, until LeBron confirmed his return.

Now history is repeating itself – with, yes, inside dirt from a baker.

“Charles Oakley came to my bakery all the time. He told me he’s met with Maverick Carter last week, and he told me LeBron James is 95% coming to Cleveland,” said the anonymous baker, while calling a local talk show.

The report has gone viral

Crazy, right?

Well, of course, the LeBron Circus has pulled up to town, again.

Every city has stores, restaurants and bars. Parma has all that, including one of the area’s most eclectic food scenes.

But there’s something else… A colorful story.

The city will celebrate its bicentennial alongside America 250th with a bash at Ridgewood Golf Club on Saturday. Info.

Parma has celebrated throughout the year — yes, the milestone, but also its quirky past and personality.

The East Side has the museums. Parma is a pop cultural mecca.

Late-night TV legend Ghoulardi always joked about it. So did Big Chuck & Li’l John.

The city has spawned countless musicians, from Ben Orr (the Cars), to Pat Benatar’s musical director Neil Geraldo, punk legends Jimmy Zero and Tony Erba, Damnation of Adam Blessing and the Alarm Clocks.

Settled in 1816, it’s also home to purveyors of pop – from Rudy’s Strudel to The Current Year and North Coast and B&L comics.

“Parma has become cool – comic book and records stores, ethnic restaurants and bakeries,” says Mayor Tim DeGeeter. “People used to make fun of Parma’s pink flamingos, but we embraced it and adopted it as our official mascot.”

The kitschy lawn ornament, once mocked as a symbol of suburban malaise, took off in Parma in the 1960s.

The city is now in on the gag. And its irreverent attitude sets it apart from the staid and old – which is why Gen Z and Millennial are moving there.

FRIDAY

Bubba Dub: More than eliciting laughs, his punchlines have become catch-phrases in the lexicons of Shannon Sharpe, Stephen A Smith, Snoop Dogg, Gillie the Kid. He brings the routine to Funny Bone. 7 & 9:30 p.m. (Also 5:30 p.m. Sunday). Info.

Kid Tigrrr: Jenna Fournier has explored dreamy pop and fuzzy drones in Niights and with her solo vehicle Kid Tigrrr. She celebrates new LP, "Pantalaimon" at the Happy Dog. 9 p.m. Info.

Maddie Wiener: Irreverent, abrasive and Rated R. Comedy’s Next Big Thing will bring all three when she hits Hilarities. 7 & 9:30 p.m. (Also Saturday). Info.

SATURDAY

Cleveland Bazaar in Market Square: A stroll, a hang out with shopping. The bazaar brings local vendors and maker to the heat of Ohio City. 10 a.m. Info.

SUNDAY

Reggae Sundays: The Ark Band brigns the syncopated rhythms and Montego Bay vibes to Music Box for its weekly series. 4 p.m. Info.

Daikaiju: The Alabama surf-rockers in kabuki masks will bring the twang to No Class. Cleveland rockers Oongow! and Lords of the Highway also perform. 7 p.m. Info.

👉 View Listing on Zillow

Decades has been packed since opening last year on the east bank of the Flats.

As it turns out, too much of a good thing is way too much.

At least for the landlord of the Decades, who shut it down due to overcrowding – after the city issued a nuisance letter after multiple assaults occurred in the club.

Come Thursday, the glitter ball will spin again.

Decades will open after owner Bryan Dall introduced new rules on overcrowding and unruliness.

Cleveland, July 4, 1941: Soldiers on a float in Municipal Stadium for the Festival of Freedom Parade.

Ooh and don’t forget! Tag @The216Scoop on Facebook & @scoopcle on Instagram to get your photos in the Scoop!

90 °F 🌡️ 74 °F | ⛅ (Partly Cloudy) | 24% | 💨 ↑ ≈ 11 mph W (≈ 10 knots)

84 °F 🌡️ 72 °F | ⛈️➡️⛅ (AM Thunderstorms) | 51% | 💨 ↑ ≈ 9 mph WNW (≈ 8 knots)

79 °F 🌡️ 70 °F | ⛈️ (Thunderstorms) | 76% | 💨 ↑ ≈ 8 mph NNE (≈ 7 knots)

_{Please note that weather conditions can change rapidly. For the most up-to-date information, consider checking a reliable local weather service.}

Home vs. White Sox, 7:10 PM July 3 (Friday)

Home vs. White Sox, 7:10 PM July 4 (Saturday)

Home vs. White Sox, 2 PM July 5 (Sunday)

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